Iraqi PM, Militias Reject Latest US Troop Deployments

Defense Secretary Ash Carter’s announcement of new deployments of US Special Forces into Iraq, despite coming with some talk of limiting operations inside Iraq to those done “at the invitation of” the Iraqi government, appears to have come without even mentioning it to the Iraqi government beforehand.

Prime Minister Hayder Abadi warned that Iraq, as it has insisted repeatedly before, welcomes air support against ISIS but does not need any foreign ground troops, and warned the US to respect Iraqi sovereignty in the matter.

That’s a relatively modest reaction compared to those of some of the more powerful Shi’ite militias involved in the war against ISIS, who say they intend to shift their fight to directly focus on US ground troops if these new deployments are carried out.

Statements came from Qatib Hezbollah, Asaib Ahl al-Haq, and the Badr Brigade, all of whom noted that they distrust US intentions after the 2003 invasion and occupation of Iraq. The US at times fought various different militias during the occupation.

How serious the Shi’ite militias’ threats are is unclear, as they’ve talked up going after US ground troops after previously announced deployments and so far haven’t, but it does reflect the continuing discomfort in Iraq, both among the government and its allies, for US escalation.

The US has so far gotten away with these escalations by keeping them small, but even this new deployment is coming with officials talking up the idea that this is just the first of many new deployments into the region aimed at combat.

Author: Jason Ditz

Go Figure…. They're done with us (US)… Probably should have asked them first… Ya think?????

lydia476

Its all about land and oil but Bush signed SOFA guaranteeing ALL US troops leave Iraq by 2011 so US
have Buckley's chance accomplishing with a couple thousand troops what they couldn't with the hundred of thousands armed force.
Perhaps they are trying to work off the payment for the bill they'll receive for the death and destruction US warmongers waged on Iraq without UN authorization and based on Israel manufactured evidence.

Mark_Thomason

It is hard to blame them for the distrust, after WMD and prolonged occupation and the calculated destruction of a major city (Fallujah) in retaliation for deaths of 4 "contractors" and massive "enduring bases" and the huge Embassy complex.

Actually, many Americans share their distrust of the US government policy in Iraq, including me.

EME

Iraq wouldn't be in the mess that it's in today if liars like
Bush and Blair hadn't invaded. These psychopathic murders are
responsible for the endless carnage and destruction.

Blair offered an empty (apology) for Britain's role in the
illegal invasion. The Cowpoke is still under the drunken
stupor that he did nothing wrong.

jeff_davis

"…they distrust US intentions after the 2003 invasion and occupation of Iraq."

Ya think!

The Imperium never wanted to surrender Iraq from its clutches. Only certain at-that-moment-convenient legalities — inconvenient legalities are never a concern of the Imperium — and the domestic political viability of withdrawal brought on by war exhaustion and Republican brand toxicity made withdrawal acceptable. Obama declared "Mission Accomplished" and got the US the hell out of there. Now that the Cheney/Bush Yinon clusterf*ck is cratering, the Neocon War Party leadership and the MIC are campaigning for yet another dip in the money trough of perpetual war.

Iraq under Abadi should posthaste ask Putin-the-competent to step in and take over from the US "Pottery Barn" wrecking crew. (And cancel the F-16 contract and start buying Russian gear.)

Jtt

Oops, a puppet government really doesn’t have that decision making skills as would a sovereign country.

goldhoarder

Jeff_davis you are spot on. Russia is trying to stop the US from causing the complete destruction of Syria. Libya and Iraq would be wise to seek help from Russia if they want any stability

Johnny in Wi.

Bring the troops home now. Let the people in the neighborhood solve their own problems.